MXPA99010257A - Improved vapor-permeable shoe - Google Patents

Abstract

A vapor-permeable shoe comprising the following combination of elements:a vapor-permeable upper (11) associated with a vapor-permeable or perforated lining (12);a tread sole (13) made of perforated elastomer;a mid-sole, comprising at least one membrane (15) made of waterproof and vapor-permeable material associated with a lower protective layer (16) made of a material resistant to hydrolysis, the layer being water-repellent, vapor-permeable and/or perforated;a vapor-permeable or perforated insole (17);a vapor-permeable or perforated filler (19) layer arranged between said insole and said membrane. The membrane is associated and sealed, at its edge regions, to a pre-molded insert (14) which is suitable to form a perimetric support for the membrane both during assembly and during use.

Description

PERMEABLE SHOE TO IMPROVED STEAM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved vapor permeable shoe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION At present, it is known that a shoe, to be comfortable, must guarantee the correct exchange of heat and water vapor between the microclimate inside the shoe and the external microclimate. However, the mentioned exchanges of heat and water vapor must under no circumstances compromise the impermeability of the shoe to water or external moisture. In the shoes that currently exist on the market, exchanges of heat and water vapor are deposited substantially in the upper portion of the shoe (shovel) or in the sole. With respect to the upper portion of the shoe, shoes that have perforated blades and / or have coatings made of vapor permeable and waterproof material are already available in the market.

Actually, in some models, part of the blade can be replaced with materials that are waterproof and vapor permeable at the same time. On the other hand, another category of shoes deposits perspiration in the sole, by means of layers of materials that are waterproof and vapor permeable, optionally attached to protective layers and fillers. To achieve an optimal exchange of heat and water vapor, a vapor permeable shoe has been devised which is described in the Italian patent application No. PD95A000190, filed on October 13, 1995, and comprising the following combination of elements: a vapor permeable blade attached to a vapor permeable or perforated coating; a sole made of perforated elastomer; an intermediate sole comprising at least one membrane made of vapor-permeable water-proof material which is attached to a lower protective layer made of a hydrolysis-resistant, water-repellent and vapor permeable or perforated material; a vapor permeable or perforated insole; a vapor permeable or perforated filling layer placed between the template and the membrane. In the shoe, as described in the Italian patent application No. PD95A000190, filed on October 13, 1995, the lower part of the upper, the sole and the midsole with the membrane are sealed by the perimeters of the Union regions. This shoe has solved the problem of transpiration of heat and water vapor, but still carries some marginal disadvantages, largely during manufacture. This is because it is very difficult to insert the delicate waterproof membrane accurately, safely and without damage during the assembly of the midsole. In addition, during use, the membrane, especially in shoes used in particularly adverse situations, may be subjected to a force such as to produce undesirable damage thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The purpose of the present invention is to provide a vapor permeable shoe that combines the possibility of offering heat and water vapor exchange through the upper and through the sole, while guaranteeing an optimal internal microclimate depending on the external climate , with improved precision and simplicity of execution during manufacturing. Within the scope of this purpose, an object of the present invention is to provide a vapor permeable shoe in which the membrane assigned specifically to the transpiration function is effectively protected even if the shoe is used in particularly adverse situations, such as mechanical forces, as in the field of sports and in the field of work shoes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vapor permeable shoe that is intended for daily use and for use in sports. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vapor permeable shoe having a competitive cost with respect to conventional vapor permeable shoes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vapor permeable shoe that can be manufactured with known technologies. This purpose, these objectives and others that will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a vapor permeable shoe comprising the following combination of elements: a vapor permeable blade that is attached to a vapor permeable or perforated coating; a sole made of perforated elastomer; an intermediate sole comprising at least one membrane made of waterproof and vapor permeable material which is attached to a lower protective layer made of a hydrolysis resistant, water repellent and vapor permeable and / or perforated material; a vapor permeable or perforated insole; a vapor permeable or perforated filler layer placed between said template and said membrane; the mentioned shoe is characterized in that the membrane is placed in a pre-assembled insert, to which it is sealed in the edge regions; said insert is suitable to provide support for the membrane during assembly and during use. This invention also relates to a pre-assembled, vapor permeable, water-repellent or water-proof insert, with the ability to be accurately and easily included in a sole assembly during the manufacture of a shoe. The insert comprises a waterproof vapor permeable membrane having upper and lower sides and an edge side, a vapor permeable or perforated protective layer adjacent to and in contact with the underside, and a waterproof support network adjacent to and in contact with said membrane, the support network is attached to the membrane at least at the periphery of said membrane. The connection can be carried out on the perimeter of the upper side of the membrane, on the perimeter of the edge side or on the perimeter of the upper side and on the edge side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the vapor permeable shoe for the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the various embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe according to the invention in a first embodiment; Figures 2 to 5 are sectional views of respective variations of an insert included in the shoe of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a sectional view of another variation of the shoe sole insert of Figure 1; Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views of possible embodiments of the sole including a membrane; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of another variation of the shoe in accordance with the present invention; Figure 10 is a view of a variation of the sole with protective membrane; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe in accordance with the invention in another embodiment; Figure 12 is an enlarged view of a detail of Figure 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES With particular reference to Figure 1, a vapor permeable shoe according to the invention is generally designated with the reference number 10 in a first embodiment. In this case, the shoe 10 comprises a blade 11 that is vapor permeable (eg made of natural leather without sealing pigments), attached to a coating 12 that is vapor permeable or perforated (e.g., made of Cambrelle) . The coating 12 is attached to the blade 11 by means of glue in drops to avoid compromising the transpiration through the blade. The shoe 10 further comprises a sole 13 made of elastomer, which is perforated in a downward region, and an intermediate sole which is generally designated with the reference number 14. In this case, the midsole 14 comprises a membrane 15 made of water-permeable vapor-proof Teflon material, such as that available and commercially available under the trademark Gore-Tex, attached to a protective layer 16 which is directed towards the sole 13 and is made of a material resistant to hydrolysis, water repellent, vapor permeable or perforated. Alternatively, the vapor-permeable water-proof material can be polyurethane or a polyester available and known in the market under the name of Sympatex. The membranes used to prepare the vapor-permeable waterproof material in general have a thickness in the range of 10 to 50 microns. Typically, the manufacturer sells such membranes as lightweight, large-mesh coated tricots. The protective layers for the waterproof film can be formed of fast drying nonwoven fabric, for example polyester having a thickness ranging from 0.8 to 5 millimeters thick. For conventional shoes, a thickness of 1 millimeter is satisfactory. For shoes used in work applications, such as hiking and work boots, a protective layer thickness of 4 to 5 millimeters or more is satisfactory. The shoe 10 further comprises, in this case, a jig 17 made of vapor permeable material (e.g. natural skin) which is perforated and can optionally be attached to a heel seat made of soft leather with absorbent rubber latex, not shown. The template 17 is applied to the blade 1 1 through the classic system called "hormado", which is through a coupling in the form of a cap of a shovel extended with a last, to which a template is applied with nails in the sole area. Then, by stretching and expanding, the perimetric parts of the blade are gummed into those of the template throughout the perimeter of the template. In this way, the blade takes the shape of the last. Then the sole or outsole 13 is applied. In this first modality, according to the invention, the midsole 14 is a pre-molded or in any case pre-assembled insert, to which the sole 13 is attached by gumming with the perimetric sealing action or by overmolding. Said insert / midsole 14, which in this case comprises not only the membrane 15 and the protective layer 16, but also a support / sealing element 19 that affects the upper and border regions of the membrane 15, has holes with outlet 19a in the upper part and acts as a filling layer. The membrane 15 and the protective layer 16 are sealed in the edge regions to the element 19, which is made of elastomeric material (eg, polyurethane) and is suitable to form a support for said membrane during assembly and during use. The joint can be by overmolding with glues. Similar results can be achieved by a) premolding or preforming the element 19 and waterproof gumming subsequent to the membrane 15, b) superinjection or high frequency welding or ultrasound with the help of liquid glues (eg hydrolysis resistant polyurethane) of a single component) or solid, thermal- or electro-weldable adhesives (films). In this embodiment it is also possible to apply to the shoe 10 a tip, not polished, which is vapor permeable or perforated and is attached to the blade 11 by the glue drops to guarantee the transpiration properties. Similarly, a vapor permeable or perforated posterior buttress, which is also not illustrated, may be attached to the blade 11 by drops of glue. The blade 11, in this case, is attached to the template 17 by applying a glue-bonding layer along the perimeter of the template.

The limitation of the adhesive layer to a perimeter band preserves the vapor permeability of most of the template surface. In this way, in the zapatolO, the central part of the template, in fact, is totally free of any element that is impervious to water vapor (ie, not permeable to steam). The membrane 15 and the lower protective layer 16 are mutually coupled by droplet glue using an adhesive that is commercially available and resistant to hydrolysis (a class commonly referred to as "hot melt", or systems with calendered powders). The protective layer 16 can be conveniently made of water-repellent material having the fast-drying ability. Said material includes for example non-woven fabric, preferably polyester, knitted fabric on needle loom or Kevlar. The protective layer 16 is directed downwards, ie towards the sole 13, since it must protect the membrane 15 against external impacts or foreign objects that could penetrate through the holes formed in said sole 13. In addition, the membrane 15 basically it is sealed by the perimeters by means of the connection with the element 19, which is overmold on it during the production. Alternatively, the seal may be produced by perimetric gumming of the upper perimeter surface and / or edge of the membrane 15 to the element 19 with hydrolysis-resistant adhesives. Therefore, the connection between the membrane 15 and the element 19 \ occurs without the use of adhesives or adhesives only on the perimeter part. This offers a large surface area of the membrane without coating or coating to allow perspiration of moisture vapors. In addition, the entire insert / midsole 14 can be provided to be modular, being usable for various soles and for various sizes. If desired, inserts can be formed to fit the shape of the Left and Right shoes. Furthermore, it should be noted that the insert / midsole 14 is easy to insert into the sole, thus facilitating the placement of the membrane 15, which can be applied with absolute precision. Similarly, the sole 13 can be formed to fit the insert. In fact, the precision in the placement is assisted by the shape of the insert / midsole 14, which is formed by the perimeters substantially complementary to the remaining components of the sole in or between which it must be adapted. The assembly of the membrane 15 allows the largest possible surface to be permeable to the vapor without having to superimpose elements therein, thereby increasing the absorption capacity of the membrane 15.

With particular reference to Figure 2, in a different construction mode of the shoe 10, the insert, now designated with the reference number 1 14, comprises a support network 121 on the membrane 1 15 with the protective layer 1 16, while the overmolded or superimposed element, now designated with the reference number 119, is limited only to the perimeter regions. The net 121 gives greater mechanical strength to the shoe, in particular to the sole. If desired, the network 121 can be overmoulded separately in or adhered separately to the membrane, or it can be an integral portion of the overlapping element 14. With particular reference to FIG. 3, in another different embodiment of the shoe 10, the insert , now designated with the reference number 214, comprises, above the membrane 215, a felt 222 (or other filling material with high vapor permeability, in other cases) that is applied in the mold or later, and has characteristics high level in terms of vapor permeability, moisture absorption, support to physical weight and thermal insulation of the external climate; said particular characteristics are useful for example in winter shoes, where it is necessary to avoid the condensation of the water vapor produced by the cooling of the perspiration. In particular, in shoes made for cold climates, felt 222 or material having similar characteristics, may be combined with films or layers of material that are highly insulating and vapor permeable or that are adequately perforated to ensure vapor permeability. In this case also, the overmoulded element 219 affects only the edge regions of the membrane 215 and the protective element 216. With reference to Figure 3bis, the filling layer, now designated with the reference number 222a (and made for example of felt), is interposed between an upper separation layer 222b made of hydrophobic material and a lower layer 222c made of hydrophilic material, which are perforated or vapor permeable. In this way, an increase in the absorption capacities of the membrane, now designated with the reference number 215a, and therefore in the vapor permeability of the shoe through the sole is achieved. In fact, the layer 222b made of hydrophobic material is designed to repel moisture towards the layer 222c made of hydrophilic material, which is located near the membrane 215a at the opposite end with respect to the protective layer 216a, allowing it to absorb moisture with speed and eject it, preventing the steam, before it passes through the membrane 215a, condense in water, which does not penetrate and stagnate inside the shoe. As an alternative, the two hydrophobic and hydrophilic layers may also include, in a sandwich-like manner, other elements disposed between the foot and the membrane (template, supports located outside the membrane, etc.). It is evident from the illustrations attached below in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 3bis, that the support / sealing element 19, 1, 21, 219 may abut the outer perimetric surface of the waterproof membrane, the surface of the perimetric edge of the membrane and the perimetric edge of the protective layer. With particular reference to Figure 4, in another different embodiment, in the insert 314, the means for protecting the membrane 315, which is known to be particularly sensitive and susceptible to damage in rough terrain or with foreign objects that may pass through of the orifices of the sole, are constituted, in this case, by one or more elements 316 made of open-celled plastics (for example, materials such as polyurethane or polyethylene or polyester available in the market), which can offer great resistance to the perforation thanks to its physical characteristics, thickness and rigidity. The element 316 in practice also has exit holes having various orientations to prevent foreign objects from coming into contact with the membrane 315. The insert 314 is completed along the perimeter by an element 319 that is overmoulded or superimposed as the previous ones. With particular reference to Figure 5, in another embodiment of the insert, now designated with the reference number 414, the means for protecting the membrane 415 are constituted by one or more elements 416 made of felt, which instead consist of fibers resistant to perforation, such as aramid fibers or equivalent fibers. In this case also, the insert 414 is completed by an element 419 that is overmoulded or superimposed. Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the insert, now designated with the reference number 514, having a sandwich-like structure including two outer membranes 515a and 515b made of vapor permeable and waterproof material, and among which is included a vapor-permeable and / or perforated structural support element 516. The membranes 515a and 515b are glued together with water-resistant adhesives to form a perimetric seal. In this embodiment, in particular, the membrane 515b is more exposed than the other to any damage action; however, the more protected 515a membrane, in any case, guarantees vapor permeability and even provides water-proof characteristics of the shoe in its entirety, while the other membrane is protected to some extent by the optional contour of the sole, designated with the reference number 513 in this case, to which it is perimetrically sealed or which is overmolded or superimposed therein. In particular, the optional protective contours of the sole can be seen in Figures 7 and 8, which illustrate two soles, designated with the reference numerals 613a and 613b respectively, in which the holes, designated with the reference numbers 620a and 620b respectively, they are separated from the region that is in contact with the ground, for example by increasing the thickness of the pattern of said sole, but not in the minimum thickness of the material at the perforation points. The reference numerals 615a and 615b designate the respective membranes. It should also be noted that in other embodiments, the pre-cast insert may also include portions of the sole. With particular reference in Figure 9, a variation of shoe construction is completely similar to shoe 10 and therefore in genera | l is designated with reference number 700. In this embodiment, shoe 700 has means to protect the shoe. membrane 715, which consist of a composite sole 713. In particular, the sole 713 comprises a waterproof layer 713 ?? which is in contact with the ground, and an inner layer 713b which is made ??. of microporous material and completely permeable. In particular, said layer 713b makes contact with, or in any case faces the membrane 715, to which it is attached at least in the regions qe edge (where a seal is provided) by means of an element 720 that connects the entire assembly to the blade 711. The layer 715b is completely permeable and therefore allows the transpiration of the exchange of water vapor and heat through the edge regions (the other regions are sealed by the bottom layer 715a). The shoe also has on the membrane 715 a filler layer 719 that is vapor permeable or perforated, and a vapor permeable or perforated insole 717. With particular reference, Figure 10, in another embodiment a sole is generally designated with the reference number 813. The sole 813 has a structure that is substantially similar to the sole 13; however, it differs from said structure in that it comprises a membrane 815 which is made of vapor permeable and waterproof material and is applied to a lower protective layer 816. The membrane 815 and the protective layer 816 are bent and sealed by the perimeters directly to the sole 813, which in any case is perforated. In this case, therefore, the membrane 815 is sealed directly to the sole 813. The coupling of the remaining parts is counted, for example, as in the case of the shoe 700. With particular reference to figures 11 and 12, A shoe according to the invention, in another embodiment, is designated in general with the reference number 900.

The shoe 900 is suitable in particular for safety applications in work subject to the risk of intense, continuous or momentary forces affecting the foot. In particular, the shoe 900 has a structure that is basically similar to the shoe 10, but differs from the latter in that it includes a metal element 902 that is inserted in the midsole, designated with the reference number 901 in this case, which is surrounded and corrugated to increase the strength of its structure and has holes 903 in which the axis is substantially parallel to the floor and which allows the continuity of the vapor permeability of the shoe 900 in its entirety. As an alternative to metallic material, it is possible to use a different material that has the same strength characteristics, such as carbon fiber, reinforced fiber plastic, etc. In particular, in this case, the metallic element 902 is arranged directly below a membrane 915 which is made to provide both the vapor permeable and waterproof function at the same time. The membrane 915 together with the corrugated element 902, a lower filtering element 917, and a portion 919a of the perforated sole 913 that is overmoulded, and seals the perimeter regions, are part of a pre-molded or superimposed insert 914. There is a upper fill layer 918.

The assembly is attached to the rest of the shoe 900 by the remaining (perimetric) portion 919b of the sole 913, which is overmoulded or superimposed. The vapor permeability in this shoe occurs, for example, along the trajectory of the double arrow 920. In practice, it has been observed that the present invention, in its various modalities and variations, achieves the stated purpose and objectives. In particular, it should be noted that the shoe and the insert according to the invention basically completely solve any difficulty in the placement of the membrane during manufacture. In addition, the shoe and the insert, in accordance with the invention, also provide adequate protection of the membrane; therefore, the shoes thus manufactured can also be used for adverse applications in particular, such as in the field of sports or in the field of safety shoes. It should also be noted that the protection of the membrane is achieved without compromising in any way the characteristics of vapor permeability and waterproofing of the shoe as a whole. Also, attention is focused on the flexibility of the use of the shoe in accordance with the invention, as well as the possibility of providing said shoe at prices that are highly competitive with respect to conventional shoes.

Similarly, it should be noted that the shoe in accordance with the invention, thanks to its shape and structure of construction, may also be suitable for high quality modalities. The present invention is subject to modifications and variations, all within the scope of the inventive concept; Also, the materials can be according to the needs. Of course, various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings; therefore, it is understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. This application claims the priority of the Italian application number PD97A000102, filed on May 9, 1997, the same complete specification that is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (16)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A vapor permeable shoe 10 comprising the following combination of elements: a vapor permeable blade 1 1 attached to a perforated or vapor permeable coating 12; a sole 13 made of perforated elastomer; an intermediate sole comprising at least one membrane 15, 1 15, 215, 315, 415 made of water-permeable and vapor-permeable material bonded to a lower protective layer 16, 116, 216, 316, 416 made of a material resistant to hydrolysis, water repellent, vapor permeable and / or perforated; a perforated or vapor permeable midsole 17; a perforated or vapor permeable filler layer 19, 119, 219, 319, 419 attached to said membrane and to the lower protective layer, said shoe being characterized in that the membrane, together with the protective layer, is placed in a preassembled insert 14, 114, 214, 314, 414, with which it is sealed in the perimeter regions, and which has the lower protective layer placed on a lower side of said insert, said insert being suitable for forming a support for the membrane during assembly and during use.

2. A shoe according to claim 1, further characterized in that the insert 14, 1 14, 214, 314, 414 is pre-molded.

3. - A shoe according to claim 1, further characterized in that said padding layer 19, 119, 219, 319, 419 is made of plastic that is overmoulded in the membrane 15, 1 15, 215, 315, 415 and the components of the protective layer 16, 1 16, 216, 316, 416 of the mentioned insert 14, 1 14, 214, 314, 414.

4. A shoe according to claim 1 , further characterized in that the insert 14, 1 14 comprises, on said membrane 15, 1 15, a net 121 that supports the sole 17 and constitutes the filling layer 19, 1 19.

5.- A shoe according to claim 1 , further characterized in that the insert 214 comprises, on the membrane 215, an element made of vapor permeable felt 222 which constitutes the filling layer, absorbs moisture, has convenient mechanical characteristics and provides thermal insulation from the external climate.

6. A shoe according to claim 1, further characterized in that the layers of material are provided on the membrane 215a, said layers comprising an upper layer 222b of hydrophobic material and a lower hydrophilic layer 222c, which are vapor permeable or They are perforated.

7. A shoe according to claim 6, further characterized in that a separation layer 222a is interposed between the layers made of hydrophobic and hydrophilic material.

8. - A shoe according to claim 1, further characterized in that the protective layer 16, 116, 216 comprises one or more elements that are joined under the membrane 15, 115, 215, has complementary shape to it and are made of plastic material of microperforated open cells.

9. A shoe according to claim 1, further characterized in that the protective layer 316, 416 of the membrane 315, 415 comprises one or more associated felts below the membrane and made of vapor permeable textile materials that are resistant to mechanical forces.

10. An insert 14, 114, 215, 314, 414 for use in the sole portion of a vapor permeable shoe, said insert comprising: i) a membrane 15, 115, 215, 315, 415 made of permeable material steamed and approved of water having a top surface, which is facing in the direction of a shoe insole 17, a lower surface that faces the direction of a shoe sole 13 and an outer edge; ii) a protective layer 16, 16, 216, 316, 416 located adjacent the lower surface of the membrane and disposed on a lower side of said insert; and iii) a support element 19, 119, 219, 319, 419 located in a peripheral portion of the membrane; said membrane having a peripheral portion comprising a) that portion of the upper surface adjacent the outer edge, b) the outer edge, c) that portion of the lower surface of the membrane adjacent the outer edge, or combinations thereof; said support element which is attached to the membrane in such a way that a waterproof joint is formed between the peripheral portion of the membrane and the support, whereby the membrane is sealed at the periphery with the support layer. 1.

An insert according to claim 10, further characterized in that said protective layer 16, 116, 216, 316, 416 is attached by drops to the membrane 15, 15, 215, 315, 415.

12. An insert according to claim 11, further characterized in that said protective layer 316, 416 is composed of textile materials resistant to mechanical strength

13. An insert according to claim 10, further characterized in that said support element 19, 119, 219, 319, 419 is overmoulded in said membrane.

14. An insert according to claim 10, further characterized in that said support element is attached to the membrane by glue.

15. An insert according to claim 10, further characterized in that said insert comprises a portion of support network 121 attached to the upper surface of the membrane.

16. An insert according to claim 15, further characterized in that said support network 121 and support element 1 19 are integral with each other.